Looney Inks With Knights

Canyon High School standout, TJ Looney, has decided to continue his education and playing career with the Knights.

Looney, a 6'6 right handed pitcher, comes to Northwood with a very high ceiling. "TJ has a tremendous up side, he already has an upper 80's fastball and he hasn't even scratched the surface of what he is capable of, we are extremely excited about him joining the program. I know TJ will only get better during his time here because of the character and work ethic that he demonstrates," Head Baseball Coach Jeremy Kennedy.

Looney is a product of the same hometown and high school as Knights pitching coach, Raymond Bergara.

Looney was a 2nd Team All-District selection after his junior campaign at Canyon.

Balich Accepts New Position

Knights Assistant Coach Justin Balich recently accepted a new coaching position with Southwestern College in Phoenix, AZ. The Phoenix native, returns home after one year as an assistant for the Knights. Balich began his career at Northwood in 2007 as a player after transferring from Phoenix College. Following graduation in 2008 he returned to Phoenix and went to work for the Fiesta Bowl. Balich returned in 2010 to begin his coaching career with his Alma Mater.

Balich was instrumental in the Knights 2008 run to a RRAC Championship. "Justin has been a key figure in getting the program to the point that it is today. He was a tremendous leader as a player and had an immediate impact on the program as a coach. Justin cares deeply about the program and we will certainly miss him. I am excited for him to take the next step in his coaching career, I know it will be a successful one. In my time in coaching Justin is the strongest team leader that I have had the opportunity to coach. I know he will take that same skill back to Arizona as he continues his journey," said Knights Head Coach Jeremy Kennedy.

Balich has accepted the Head Assistant position and will get the opportunity to recruit for the first year program. Justin will be back in Texas in January when the Eagles take on Northwood foes; Wayland Baptist University and Lubbock Christian University.

Knights Clubhouse Completed

The Knights will have a nice Christmas present to come back to in January when the team returns from the Christmas Holiday Break.


The new clubhouse was recently completed and will be polished up and ready for a great 2011 season when the team returns on January 10th. The new facility adds two new coaches offices, laundry/storage room, and locker room complete with 33 individual lockers. Along with the indoor space, the building has added significant covered storage for field maintenance equipment.


The Knights open their 2011 season on the road at the University of Houston-Victoria. You can catch the Knights at home on February 1st when they take on Southwest Assemblies of God. The Knights will then host the Red River/Sooner Conference challenge starting on February 3rd. The tournament will put RRAC members; Northwood University, Texas Wesleyan University, and LSU-Shreveport against SAC members; Oklahoma City University, Lubbock Christian University, and Wayland Baptist University.

Knights Add Two Quality Arms At Semester

The quality and depth of the Knights 2011 pitching staff will improve with the signing of two semester transfers, Gabe Gutierrez and Landon Stanford.

Gutierrez, a sophomore right handed pitcher, played for NJCAA powerhouse Central Arizona College in 2010. Gutierrez possesses a powerful fastball which got him drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2009 out of Apollo High School in Phoenix, Arizona. Gutierrez was drafted by Braves Area Scout, Kris Knobenshue who worked on staff with Knight's coaches, Jeremy Kennedy and Bobby Garza, while at Dallas Baptist University.

Right handed pitcher Landon Stanford spent two years as a starter for McClennan College in Waco. Stanford also played alongside Knights outfielder, Nico Taylor, this summer for the TCL's McKinney Marshals.

Both, Gutierrez and Stanford are expected to have a significant impact on the 2011 staff.